City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Parks & Recreation Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Cafeteria - City Hall East Wing
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
09/19/2023
The City of Santa Clara is conducting the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting in a hybrid manner (in-person and a method for the public to participate remotely).
Via Zoom:
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/91316665755
Meeting ID: 913 1666 5755
Or join by phone: 669-900-6833
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Caldwell called the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Vice-Chair Hai joined the meeting at 7:06 PM.
.
Chair Dana Caldwell, Commissioner Maureen Chu, Commissioner Eversley Forte, Vice Chair Sajid Hai, and Commissioner Vikas Gupta Present 5 -
Commissioner Kelly Cox, and Commissioner Brittany RickettsAbsent 2 - Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gupta, to excuse Commissioner Cox and Commissioner Ricketts.
Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
Aye: 5 -
Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner RickettsExcused: 2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
1.A 23-1089 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Meeting
Recommendation: Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Meeting.
Commissioner Gupta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chu, to recommend approval of the Parks & Recreation
Commission Minutes of August 15, 2023.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
1.B 23-1030
Parks & Recreation Commission Calendar of Meetings for 2024 Recommendation: Recommend that Council Approve a Resolution to Set the Parks & Recreation Commission Calendar of Meetings for 2024.
Vice-Chair Hai made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chu, to continue this item regarding the 2024 Parks & Recreation Commission Calendar of Meetings until the next Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
GENERAL BUSINESS
At 7:17 PM, the Regular Meeting was paused for the Commission to participate in recognizing the retirement of James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation, in Council Chambers.
The Regular Meeting resumed at 7:44 PM.
2. 23-1127
Recommend Nominee(s) for Consideration as the “2023 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter” for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Recommendation:
Staff has no recommendation.
Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chair Hai, to continue this item regarding the recommendation of nominee(s) for consideration as the "2023 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter" until the next Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
3. 23-665 Receive a Presentation and Provide Feedback on Benton, Monroe, and Walsh-Martin Bikeway Planning Projects
Recommendation:
Receive a presentation and provide feedback on Benton, Monroe, and Walsh-Martin Bikeway Planning Projects.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bikeway Projects Location Map
2. Benton Street Bikeway Draft Design Concepts
3. Monroe Street Bikeway Draft Design Concepts
4. Walsh Avenue Bikeway Draft Design Concepts
5. Martin Avenue Bikeway Draft Design Concepts
6. Presentation for September 19, 2023 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
Commissioner Forte asked if the team presenting will be recommending a preferred bike lane option that would be used or will they be letting the public provide feedback to which they prefer. Nicole He responded that as part of community outreach, the public is being asked about which option(s) they prefer. The community survey that was just posted, prompts the public support or select one of the concepts. The summary of the comments will be presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) for consideration. In January 2024, BPAC to deciding on their preferred alternative for this project.
Commissioner Chu asked about the Benton Street traffic impact since two lanes will be closed, and if there is an existing bike lane on Martin and Walsh. Nicole He stated that the traffic impact is part of the study and was also a concern of the community. Traffic results from the study will be shared with the public and BPAC. Lafayette Street will be the connection to Martin and Walsh, which Ralph Garcia stated is a different project.
Commissioner Gupta asked about greenery/landscaping along the paths. According to Nicole He, the scope of the project is for conceptual design, and landscaping in the immediately adjacent area is not part of the project. Commissioner Gupta added, it would have been good to know if previously implemented alternatives had a positive impact on bikeways, and commented on the barriers that separate the bikeway from the roadway, at Stevens Creek near Cupertino Main Street. In addition, he stated that staff who presented, should illustrate that various alternatives have been tried, and if there is something that is known to have worked, include that information in the presentation with contemporary examples.
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
4. 23-1026 Develop Initial Draft of the Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY2023/24
Recommendation: Develop a Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan for FY2023/24 including goals, supporting activities and subcommittee assignments.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chair Hai, to continue this item regarding developing the initial draft (including assigning subcommittees) until the next Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Acting Director Seale advised the Commission of the following:
Westwood Oaks Park Playground to break ground the first week of October. For safety, the whole park will be closed for the duration of construction for about six/seven months; no impact to recreation programming. Non-native eucalyptus trees have been removed and the trees will be replaced as part of the rehabilitation project. The contractor will display the schematic design on the fence for the neighbors to visualize the scope of rehabilitation project. Park patrons are recommended to visit nearby neighboring parks to recreate: Jenny Strand, Homeridge, and Maywood parks. Montague Park - building renovation is almost complete; the park portion, improved playground, exercise equipment are now available to the public. A soft opening is expected in late October 2023. The kickoff for Parks & Recreation system-wide Master Plan for the City of Santa Clara's park system will be starting soon. The Master Plan will involve every single community, commissions, stakeholders, and will address funding, programming, future capital projects, and a roadmap for the park system development over the next 15-20 years. This comprehensive study will take up to 12-14 months to complete. The next Facility Condition Assessment will be done within the time frame of the Master Plan.
Recreation Manager Castro advised the Commission of the following:
Encouraging the Commission to provide feedback on the 41st annual Art & Wine Festival. The Department is getting ready for the production of Tarzan. Senior Center hours were extended in July and there is an increase in attendance as a result. The Recreation Team is getting ready for Winter programming; after-school programs continue to be strong; last of the Concerts in the Park series will be on Friday, September 29, 2023 at Live Oak Park; State of the City will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2023; Children's Halloween, Saturday, October 28, 2023; and Holiday Tree Lighting, Friday, December 1, 2023.
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Chair Caldwell joined the Senior Center and toured the facility and was very impressed. Visited Fremont Park; went to the Concert in the Park in Central Park; volunteered at the Art & Wine Festival. Commented on how a crisis was addressed by the commissioners, and staff, including Police - quick response time, and compassionate care with the concerned party.
He commended all involved in the response effort.
Commissioner Chu visited Henry Schmidt Park; looking forward to hearing more information regarding Agnews Historic Park restroom hours - a concern brought about by her neighbor; volunteered at the Art & Wine Festival; expressed the need to order more glasses for next year; and she is looking forward to attending the last of the Concerts in the Park series for 2023 at Live Oak Park.
Commissioner Forte volunteered at the Art & Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Derek Bryant brainstormed with commissioners in real-time, for next year's Art & Wine Festival.
Commissioner Gupta volunteered at the Art & Wine Festival - people were even buying lots of vintage glasses.
Vice-Chair Hai missed the Art & Wine Festival; he is excited about the Westwood Oaks Park playground rehabilitation project; visited Jenny Strand Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gupta, to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 PM until the next Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 7:00 PM.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Cox, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
MEETING DISCLOSURES
09/19/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
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